Trekking Up Mt. Semeru

Last weekend I went with a group of friend to hike Mt. Semeru. At 12,060 feet, it's that tallest peak on the island of Java and is also still an active volcano. I knew the trip was going to be a 2-day hike, but had no idea what I was getting myself in to. It was definitely one of the most physically challenging thing I've done, but well worth it! The 22-mile trail to the peak was different terrain every few miles. We went from farm land, through jungle, passed a lake, through grasslands, through woods and up the steepest part passed treelines that was entirely volcanic rock and ash. It was incredible! But words can't describe it as well as pictures :)


On the way to Mt. Semeru we took a bathroom break...meaning we stopped at a random person's home and asked if we could use their bathroom. Indonesians are so gracious! Carolyn, just finishing up :)



The girls on our team...I wish I had a before and after picture of us. Those smiles would be wiped off our faces and we'd be covered in dust haha. It was a team bonding experience none the less!

About 3 hours into the hike, we came up to a lake where a lot of people decide to camp at. It was gorgeous!

After the lake came the grasslands....I kept waiting for a lion to pop out or something. I definitely didn't feel like I was in Indonesia!

After 6 hours of hiking, we made it to base camp! We'd "sleep" here and leave for the hike to the top at 1:30 AM. We never really slept.

At 1:30AM, Lisa, Carolyn and I set out for the summit. We had to leave that early, not only to see the sunrise, but because you're not allowed to be at the top past 9AM--the volcano starts to puff throughout the day. The first hour was through woods and was steep, but not too bad. Once we got passed the treeline, though, it took 2 1/2 hours to climb 1 km. Because it was completely ash and small rocks, we'd take 3 steps forward and slide down 2. Not exactly my favorite part, but it was well worth it!!

I made it up to the top of the mountain at 5AM just in time for sunrise!!

Some friends I made at the top so I didn't have to go down alone. They were pretty hilarious...they all brought their graduation gowns to change into and take pictures, all had on uniforms, and even brought pictures of their girlfriends to pose with at the top!

 

When I usually watch the sunrise on my roof, Mt. Semeru is the mountain I look out to...it was awesome being on that side and being at the top of what I usually see.



Perfect Sunrise!! I was so thankful it was a clear morning!

 

The 360 view from the top was amazing. This is the view from where we came from and hiked through.

I loved that you could see the shadow of the peak on the clouds...but my favorite part of this picture is the guy strewn out on the ground...that captures how all of us were feeling hahaha. poor guy.

Our friend, Mas Sam, who I met up with on the way down. Always has his smile on!

Hiking back from base camp, looking back at Mt. Semeru(the white cloud is what puffs from the volcano)

 

New Food Friday...Kolak Singkong

The other day I went and visited the family of a little girl in my kindergarten class(it's been such a great start to the year as I've been able to start building relationships with the kids and their families). As is custom in Indonesian culture, while I was visiting her family, her mom made me eat so much food.
She brought out a dish that she had made called "Kolak Singkong." It was a soup that was made from coconut milk, a little sugar and chunks of cooked cassava(kind of like a potato). She also added chunks of red jello to it, too. Not exactly the combination I would think to put together, but it was so good!! Just like anything that's covered in chocolate can taste good, I've come to learn that anything that has coconut milk in it tastes good! :)

Let His Light Shine

One of my favorite places in all of Malang is right where I live. My kost has a roof that is completely flat and is mainly used to keep plants and dry laundry. But, for me, it's an ideal place to go hang out. It's quiet(somewhat) and has an amazing view of 3 different mountain ranges that can be seen from Malang. Last year, I went up to the roof most mornings to have my quiet time and prayer time. Since being back from the States I've only been up there once or twice.
This morning, I made a point to go up because it's been absolutely beautiful out--it's been a brisk 70 degrees during the morning(Indonesians consider that cold) and so it's enjoyable to sit up there and not sweat at 5AM. When I first got up on the roof, it was the clearest day I've seen in a while and all 3 mountains could be seen. I started reading in Matthew 5. In Matthew 5:14, 16 Jesus says "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden...In the same way let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." After reading that I looked up and saw how the sun was shining on the mountain range opposite the sun. What had just been a shadowy outline of a mountain when I first got up was now a intricate and detailed landscape because of the sun. The light was revealing all the details of the mountain that makes the landscape so beautiful!
As we commune with God and walk with Him, He is able to shine His light that gives life through us to those around us. My prayer is that I wouldn't be just a shadowy outline of another human being to those around me, but as I walk with God, through His grace and continual work in me, His light would shine through me and people would be drawn to the intricate details of God's character as I interact with them.

This picture doesn't come close to capturing the mountain, but you get the point :)

First Week Back to Kindergarten :)

This past week, the kids came back to RB Polehan(name of the TK) after a break for the Muslim holiday, Idul Fitri. It was my first time seeing them in almost 2 months! The day before the kids came back to school, I went with the teachers to visit each family and bring a gift for the kids for Idul Fitri(most of the students are Muslim). It was great to visit them in their home and see where they live...it's something I'm wanting to do more now that I'm back. There were 10 homes I went to with another teacher, but below are a couple pictures with some of the families.


Most of the students I knew from last year, but a few were new students. Aprilya, Akbar and Talita are all new students in the class I help in.

I got to see Febi and Rahan again! They were 2 kids from last year I knew.

At the end of each class the first week, the kids had fun learning how to dress themselves. They brought in shirts that buttoned up and socks to practice putting on. Most of the kids in this class are about 4 years old. It was so cute as they got so excited and proud when they were actually able to button the shirts themselves.

Way to go Akbar! This little boy is pretty much the cutest and sweetest kid I've ever seen. Love him!

Bintang was so focused!

After all their hard work, they couldn't wait to pose for a picture :) So excited to be back with them!

New Food Friday...Where Do I Begin??

In my 5 weeks in the States, I didn't write much(or at all...oops!) in my blog and I definitely didn't really try many new foods...I mostly ate all my favorite things! But, since being back in Indonesia, I've definitely tried enough new food to cover all those weeks. During Idul Fitri(the major holidayfor Muslims in Indonesia after the 30 days of fasting for Ramadan), it's custom to visit friends at their home. With that comes a lot of eating because they'll always offer food. This past week I think everything I've had at someone's house has been a new food for me! There have been lots of soups, cookies, and side dishes that I haven't tried before, but since I can't remember for the life of me what most of them are called I'll go with the one I remember(and my favorite one I tried!).

Dendeng Ragi is made with cut up beef and topped with a mixture of spices and flaked coconut that's panfried. It was so delicious!! This is definitely a dish that I'm going to learn how to make! 

I tried the dendeng ragi at my friend, Ririn's house. Myself and a couple other families from the language school we go to visited her family for Idul Fitri. Her family had made a ton of food for us and every dish was a new food I've never tried before.

Ririn's family is such a sweet family! It was great to go to her kampung, meet her parents and grandmother and see where she lives. Below are a couple more pics from our time spent at her house.

As is customary during Ramadan and especially Idul Fitri, people set off fireworks and firecrackers. These guys tied them all on a rope and set them off all at once. People lined the street to watch...and yes, it all started before 7AM :)

 

Ririn(left) and Puji(right) waiting for the show to begin!

 

After we ate the amazing meal, Ririn and Puji took us on a tour of the area where they live which included the rice padi fields and the cemetary nearby where everyone in that kampung is buried.
 

Just hanging out in the fields...I could spend all day there. It's beautiful!

Trip to the Flower Market

One of my favorite places to go in Malang is the flower market. They sell so many different types of flowers, plants and seeds. It's amazing to just walk through and take in the smells(good smells haha) all around you! And I love going and interacting with vendors and other customers there...I always end up striking up conversation with someone there!
Today I went with my friend Widya to get some flowers. I went to get a plant for my room, but got sidetracked by one of my favorite flowers here, "sedap malam," which means "fragrant at night." I have never bought flowers for myself because I can never get myself to spend the money on it, but with spending 5,000 rupiah(about 50 cents) for an entire bunch, it seemed justifiable. :) It lives true to the name...as I walked into my room tonight, my entire room was filled with the fragrance of it!

A little taste of my time State side...

The past month has been pretty much a whirlwind. I tried my best to take lots of pictures, but I never seem to succeed at that. Any time I was with friends or family, I'd rather be in the moment and would forget to document it. I guess that's why I'm not called to be a photographer...

The conference I was back for was in Colorado and most of the other part of the trip was spent in MA. Below are some snapshots from the trip.

One of the highlights of my trip was getting to spend time with the one and only Alice, my grams. My first few days of my trip were the last few days of her long, well-lived life. I still am amazed at God's timing of my trip and His gift of time with her.

I missed many, many weddings this past year, but one I got to be home for was one of my bestie's, Bethany and Martin's wedding. I love her to death and am so happy I got to be there for her big day!

Reunited at last! I spent most of my time in the States with my family. It was soooooo good to be with them so much and catch up on time missed this past year! We did a lot of "favorites" together and I got to catch them up on life in Indo...I even made them my favorite Indonesian dish(above)--Pecel.



I got to spend a couple days before the conference in FL with old college roomies, the Scoobs(what we call eachother...long story!) This was a picture put together with Callie's Instagram app...I stole it since I'm not capable of such things with my flip phone(don't hate!). It captures some of the great moments of the trip. We got to hang out, go to the beach and meet Andrew and Avery...2 of my friends' new babies! Even though, we didn't all get to see each other at the same time, I got to see the majority of the Scoobs.

Like I said, in my trip I got to do a lot of "favorites." My mom, sister and I took a day trip to Cape Cod to visit family and to my favorite beach, Wellfleet.  

I got to be home for another friend, Maggie's wedding. It was such a beautiful wedding and a blast seeing her and friends from Boston. Congrats Maggie!